ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Gadkari Announces Enforcement of Mandatory FASTag from 1st January, 2021
Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs Shri Nitin Gadkari today announced that FASTag is being made mandatory for all vehicles in the country from new year. Addressing a virtual function today, he said, FASTag will be enforced from 1st of January, 2021. Enumerating its benefits, he said, it is useful for the commuters as they will not need to stop at toll plazas for cash payments. It also saves time and fuel.
The FASTags were launched in the year 2016, and four banks together issued nearly a lakh of them. By 2017, their numbers went up to seven lakh. Over 34 lakh FASTags were issued in 2018.
Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had issued a notification in November this year making FASTag mandatory by 1st of January 2021 in old vehicles also sold before 1st December, 2017 through amendments in CMVR, 1989.
As per Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, since 1st December 2017, the FASTag had been made mandatory for all registration of new four wheeled Vehicles and is being supplied by the Vehicle Manuracturer or their dealers. It had further been mandated that the renewal of fitness certificate will be done only after the fitment of FASTag for the Transport Vehicles. For National Permit Vehicles, the fitment of FASTag was mandated since 1st October 2019.
It has also been mandated that a valid FASTag is mandatory while getting a new 3rd Party Insurance through an amendment in FORM 51 , wherein the details of FASTag ID shall be captured. This shall be applicable w.e.f. 1 April 2021.
This would be a major step for ensuring that the payment of fees be 100% at Toll Plazas through the Electronic Means only and that the vehicles pass seamlessly through the Fee Plazas. There would be no waiting time at the Plazas and would save fuel.
The steps for ensuring the availablity of FASTag at multiple channels are being made through physical locations and also through online mechanism so that the citizens are able to have them affixed at their vehicles within the next two months at their convenience.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves the Constitution of an empowered “Technology Group”
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Constitution of an empowered “Technology Group”.
Details
Cabinet has approved constitution of a 12-Member Technology Group with the Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India as its Chair. This Group is mandated to render timely policy advice on latest technologies; mapping of technology and technology products; commercialisation of dual use technologies developed in national laboratories and government R&D organisations; developing an indigenisation road map for selected key technologies; and selection of appropriate R&D programs leading to technology development.
Major Impact
The Technology Group will :-
- render the best possible advice on technology to be developed for a technology supplier and the technology procurement strategy;
- develop in-house expertise in aspects of policy and use of emerging technologies; and
- ensure sustainability of public sector technology developed/being developed at PSUs, national labs and research organisations.
Implementation strategy and targets
The three pillars of the work of the Technology Group include:
- Policy Support;
- Procurement Support; and
- Support on Research and Development proposals.
The Technology Group intends to ensure :-
- that India has appropriate policies and strategies for effective, secure and context-sensitive exploitation of the latest technologies for economic growth and sustainable development of Indian Industry, in all sectors;
- to advise the Government on priorities and strategies for research on emerging technologies across sectors;
- to maintain an updated map of technology and technology products available, and being developed, across India;
- to develop indigenization roadmap for selected key technologies;
- to advise the Government on its technology supplier and procurement strategy;
- to encourage all Ministries and Departments as well as State Governments to develop in-house expertise in policy and use aspects of emerging technologies such as data science and artificial intelligence, and to this end develop an approach to training and capacity building
- to formulate policies for sustainability of public sector technology at PSUs/Labs while encouraging cross-sector collaborations and research alliances with Universities and Private Companies; and
- to formulate standards and common vocabulary to apply in vetting of proposals for R&D.
Background
In the technology sector, five important issues were:  silo-centric approaches to development of technology  technology standards either not developed or applied, leading to sub-optimal industrial development  dual use technologies not being optimally commercialised  R&D programs not aligned to efforts at technology development  need for mapping of technologies important for applications in society and industry. The Constitution of Technology Group is an effort at addressing the above problems.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Livelihood of Farmers
The survey on Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households and Land and Livestock Holdings of Households in Rural India, 2019 conducted by National Sample Survey Office  provides data on rural households classified by their major sources of income. As per this survey, about 58.3% of the rural households reported agricultural activities as their main source of Income. As per Agriculture Census 2015-16, small and marginal operational holders constituted about 86 per cent of the total operational holders in the country.
There is no proposal to introduce a separate budget for Agriculture. However, Government of India provides top most priority to the sector which is the backbone of the economy. This is reflected in the fact that budget allocation for the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is very substantial. It has increased from Rs.27662.67 crore in 2013-14 to Rs. 132513.62 crore in 2022-23.
In 2017-18, foodgrain production in India was estimated at 285.01 Million Tonnes .As per information obtained from FAOSTAT, India’s production, consumption and import of pulses in 2018 vis-à-vis the world was 28%, 30% and 14% respectively.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports seeks MEA assistance to complete vaccination of seven athletes based overseas
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has sought the assistance of the Ministry of External Affairs to complete the Covid-19 vaccination of seven athletes and 17 support staff now based overseas.
The sportspersons include javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who is based in Uppasala in Sweden, boxers Manish Kaushik, Satish Kumar, Pooja Rani and Simranjeet Kaur who are in Assisi, Italy, and wrestlers Ravi Dahiya and Deepak Punia, who are in Russia.
In Sweden, Covishield  is available only for those above the age of 65. Italy’s vaccination policy makes it difficult for the Indian boxers to receive their second shots of Covishield there while Russia has only Sputnik vaccine. It is likely that the Indians athletes and the support staff will get their second doses in the Indian missions in those countries.
The four boxers and 11 coaching and support staff, who need the vaccine, were originally slated to return to India from its base in Italy on July 8. The Boxing Federation of India wrote to Government to let the boxers continue training in Italy till it leaves for Tokyo. It thus became important for the MEA’s assistance to ensure that the 15 members are fully vaccinated.
Though the Tokyo Olympic Committee for the Olympic Games has not made it mandatory for the athletes and officials to be vaccinated against Covid-19, India decided to vaccinate its athletes, coaches and support staff on a priority basis to ensure their safety.
Besides, some other athletes are due to get their respective second doses soon. Shooters Rahi Sarnobat, Saurabh Chaudhary and Deepak Kumar will receive their vaccination in Zagreb, Croatia. Tennis player Ankita Raina will get her second dose in the High Commission of India in London while Judoka Shushila Devi will complete her vaccination here.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
More than one crore face masks prepared by Self Help Groups across the country
More than one crore face masks have been made by various Self-Help Groups across the country. It shows relentless effort, positive energy and united resolve of SHGs to fight Covid-19 under DAY-NULM flagship scheme of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
At the core of this proud moment is a strong face of women entrepreneurs supported by the Mission. Their resilience is motivating others to multiply the efforts with more energy and determination. It is women empowerment safeguarding lives in true sense.
Ms. Meenu Jha
Some Quotes from the SHG women:
Ms. Shubhangi Chandrakant Dhaygude, President, Samrudhhi Area Level Federation  has a distinct smile on her face that symbolizes satisfaction and pride. She collects orders through phone and stitches masks at her home in Titwala, Maharashtra. She says that they have made 50000 masks and 45 more women are involved in making masks with her.
Ms. Meenu Jha, member of Savarni SHG in Kota, Rajasthan says that even she did not imagine that this small step can be so inspiring for others. These lines of Ms. Meenu Jha reiterate the fact that all of us have unique capability of contributing in this fight even during lockdown.
Gamocha, the traditional cloth and symbol of respect in Assam has today become a symbol of health, safety and hygiene. Ms. Rashmi from Nagaon, member of Runjhun SHG is busy preparing masks using this traditional cloth.
Ms. Updesh Andotra, member Prayas Self Help Group in Kathua, J&K feels proud while making the tricolour masks.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on Paramedical Workforce in India
Provision for capacity building of doctors, nurses and paramedics integrated under Central Sector Scheme, Human Resource Development for Emergency Medical Services
National Emergency Life Support  modules developed for training of doctors, nurses and paramedics
In the absence of any Central Regulatory body for Allied and Healthcare Professions the Central Government enacted the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions  Act, 2021 on 28th March, 2021 for regulating the education and services of the allied and healthcare professionals; assessment and rating of all allied and healthcare institutions to ensure uniform standards and quality assurance; maintenance of live National and State Registers for registration of all allied and healthcare professionals. The Act provides for constitution of National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions  and the functions of the Commission includes creation and maintaining an online and live Central Register with details of academic qualifications institutions, training, skill and competencies of Allied and Healthcare professionals related to their professions as specified in the Schedule.
Provision for capacity building of doctors, nurses and paramedics has been made under Central Sector Scheme, Human Resource Development for Emergency Medical Services including hands-on skill-based training of paramedical personnel and emergency medical technicians for patient stabilization during pre-hospital phase of transfer of patients to hospital/health facility. Under this initiative, standardized ‘National Emergency Life Support ’ modules for doctors, nurses and paramedics has been developed and training to doctors, nurses and paramedics is provided under the same as per norms approved under National Health Mission.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays tributes to every great who took part in India’s freedom struggle in Independence Day Speech
Calls 140 crore countrymen his Pariwarjan 
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 77th Independence Day today, greeted his 140 crore ‘Pariwarjan’  and noted the trust in the country which is at an all time high.
Shri Modi paid tributes to every great who took part in India’s freedom struggle. Recalling the Non-Cooperation Movement and Satyagraha Movement under Mahatma Gandhi and sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru and numerous Bravehearts, he said that almost everyone from that generation took part in the freedom struggle.
He underlined the key anniversaries that are taking place in this momentous year. Today marks the conclusion of the 150th Jayanti year of the great revolutionary and spiritual icon Sri Aurobindo. He also mentioned the 150th year of Swami Dayanand’s Jayanti, 500th birth anniversary of Rani Durgawati which will be celebrated with great enthusiasm. He also noted the 525 years of paragon of Bhakti Yog Sant Meera Bai. Next Republic Day too will be the 75th Republic Day, he said. “In many ways, many opportunities, many possibilities, every moment new inspiration, moment by moment new consciousness, every moment dreams, moment by moment resolution, perhaps there can be no greater opportunity to be engaged in nation building than this”, Shri Modi added.
Ministry of External Affairs
Post Office Passport Seva Kendras  coming up at Diamond Harbour and Rampurhat
-Kolkata , October 25, 2018
Two Post Office Passport Seva Kendras  will be inaugurated at Diamond Harbour Head Post Office in South 24 Parganas on October 30, 2018 and then, at Rampurhat Head Post Office in Birbhum on November 1, 2018.
Passport applicants have to produce online Application Reference Number sheets along with necessary documents of identity proof, address and date of birth proof in original as well as self attested photocopy. The detailed information of the documents required can be obtained from the website www.passportindia.gov.in. At Diamond Harbour, 5 numbers of appointments has been lined up for 29th October and then 10 number of appointments for 30th October at 12 noon onwards. 50 appointments daily will be given on all working days thereon. The said appointments will be released on www.passportindia.gov.in from 25th October 2018 at 1530 hours onwards. Similarly, at Rampurhat POPSK, 5 number of appointments has been scheduled for 31st October and 10 number of appointments for 1st November at 12 noon onwards. After that, 50 appointments will be given on all working days starting from 2nd November, 2018. The said appointments will be released on www.passportindia.gov.in from 26th October 2018 at 1530 hours onwards. The applicants have to pay the passport fees through online payment system.
Ministry of Finance
Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2021-22  – Issue Price
In terms of Government of India Notification No.4-B/2021 dated October 21, 2021, Sovereign Gold Bonds 2021-22  will be opened for subscription during the period November 29- December 03, 2021 with Settlement date December 07, 2021. The issue price of the Bond during the subscription period shall be Rs 4,791  – per gram, as also published by RBI in their Press Release dated November 26, 2021.
The Government of India in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India has decided to allow discount of Rs 50  per gram from the issue price to those investors who apply online and the payment is made through digital mode. For such investors the issue price of Gold Bond will be Rs 4,741  per gram of gold.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
India integrated by food: the Bengal story: Webinar organised by ROB, Kolkata
Kolkata, 18th August, 2020
The Regional Outreach Bureau, Kolkata, Field Outreach Bureau, Medinipur and Press Information Bureau, Kolkata jointly organised an hour long webinar on Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat theme. The title of the webinar was 'India integrated by food: the Bengal story'. Eminent filmmaker and food enthusiast Gautam Ghosh and Journalist and food columnist, Surbek Biswas were the speakers.
The webinar exchanged views on different specialities of Bengali food and how Bengal food has been impressed by foods of other states of India. For example, Surbek Biswas, pointed out that the mustard tempering in Bengali food has a south Indian connection. Shri Gautam Ghosh referred to Tadka, which actually is a Punjabi food but nowadays has become quite a common household food in Bengal.
The webinar was jointly hosted by Sudipta Biswas, Field Publicity Officer, Medinipur and Sumita Chakraborty, Field Exhibition Officer, Kolkata. Smt.Jane Namchu, Additional Director. General, PIB, Kolkata delivered the welcome address.
(CG/CB
Ministry of Education
Shri Subhas Sarkar addresses the 3rd Convocation of NIT Delhi
Minister of State for Education Shri Subhas Sarkar today addressed the 3rd Convocation of National Institute of Technology Delhi  here today. The ceremony was held at Vigyan Bhawan.The institute celebrated the accomplishments of 793 graduates, including 34 Ph.D., 567 B.Tech., and 192 M.Tech. degrees. The Institute awarded the President's Gold Medal , the Director's Gold Medal , and Institute Silver Medals  to graduating students with exceptional academic records. Shri Anand Kumar, founder of the acclaimed Super-30 programme, was conferred a Doctor of Philosophy degree, honoris causa.
While addressing the participants, Shri Sarkar said that National Education Policy has holistic approach to teaching and learning that offer a broad perspective of learning that stretches beyond the academic achievements of an individual, to consider the development of the person.
The Minister stressed that it is the responsibility of the educational institutions of India to explore our rich culture, heritage, and ancient treasure of knowledge to build an equitable and just society.
He said that India can achieve the spirit of innovation by teaching our future generations about the importance of innovation, especially the endeavours made by startups. He further stated that India is capable of building a large AI ecosystem.Students should explore the field of AI as well as robotics and other fields of innovation.
Dr. Subhas Sarkar extended his greetings to total 793 students including B.Tech/M.Tech/Ph.D who received their degrees.
The Director, Prof.  Ajay Kumar Sharma, presented the Director’s Report and highlighted the important milestones for the year 2022 for NIT Delhi. He proudly announced that this has been an exciting year for us; we have realised the dream of moving to our permanent campus after functioning from the transit campuses for over a decade. Prof. Sharma also announced the start of BTech programmes in Mechanical Engineering  and Civil Engineering , as well as an increased intake in BTech  programmes beginning in the academic year 2022-23.
At the convocation, the noteworthy placement track record was highlighted. In 2022, NITD students were hired by some of the most reputed companies like Adobe, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Samsung R&D, L&T, Deloitte, Intuit,and Swiggy. One of the students received a package worth 55 lac rupees per annum. The overall placement rate is 96.5 percent.
NIT Delhi has emerged as the country's premier technological institute in recent years. It has secured the 194th position in the NIRF ranking for 2022, a testament to its faculty and students' academic prowess despite the hardships of the global pandemic.The Institute has signed 32 Memorandums of Understanding  with renowned institutes, industrial organisations, and PSUs to date.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Members of Parliament for the Ministry of Power & NRE held
The Meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Members of Parliament for the Ministry of Power and NRE was held in New Delhi yesterday evening. Shri R. K. Singh, Union Minister for Power and MNRE chaired the meeting. Hon’ble Members of Parliament of various political parties took part in the meeting. The MPs present were Shri Arun Sao, Lok Sabha, Shri Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Lok Sabha, Shri Gyaneshwar Patil, Lok Sabha, Shri Khagen Murmu, Lok Sabha, Shri Pradyut Bordoloi, Lok Sabha, Shri Ramdas Chandrabhanji Tadas, Lok Sabha, Shri Ravindra Kushwaha, Lok Sabha, Smt. Riti Pathak, Lok Sabha, Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo,Lok Sabha, Shri Topon Kumar Gogoi, Dr. Amee Yajnik, Rajya Sabha & Dr Kanimozhi NVN Somu, Rajya Sabha.The subject of the meeting was "Energy Conservation Measures”.
Replying to queries of Hon’ble Members, the Minister informed that when power demand increased this year in recent months, RE accounted for 25% to 29% of total power generation and the RE is a major sector. Achievements of Energy efficiency interventions made for SMEs were also shared. A presentation was made on Energy Conservation measures. Achievements of SDA scheme in 2021-22 were also shared. It was informed that Power Ministry has asked states to set up State Level Steering Committees for Energy Transition under Chief Secretaries. Many states have already constituted these committees.
Power and MNRE Minister informed the Hon’ble Members about separate agricultural feeders, which help in checking agricultural energy consumption. Cold chain energy efficiency in India was discussed. Initiatives for promoting electric mobility were discussed. UJALA scheme’s achievements were also shared. Building energy efficiency program was also discussed in the meeting. It was informed that ECBC was launched for commercial buildings and has been adopted by 22 states/UTs. Econiwas Samhita was launched in 2018-19 for residential buildings. Key achievements of PAT II were shared during the meeting.
Hon’ble Members of Parliament made several suggestions with regard to various initiatives and schemes. Shri Singh closed the meeting thanking the participants for their valuable suggestions.